Teachers in the United States on a J-1 Visa are eligible for a maximum stay of five years if the teacher and school remain compliant with visa and program regulations. Each year Cultural Vistas will confirm with you and the school that the program will continue through the next school year. Each school has its own process to decide if and when a teacher is renewed and you will typically receive a new offer or contract in the spring term. We send instructions to all eligible teachers at the appropriate time.
Subsections:
1st & 2nd Year Renewal
3rd Year Extension
1st & 2nd Year Teachers: Annual Renewal
You already have a DS-2019 which provides the initial period of sponsorship for 3 years, technically the teacher program maximum. However, we need to verify your continued participation each spring, confirm you have been renewed by your school and confirm your insurance selection for the coming year. During this process, the renewal fee will be charged for the next year’s sponsorship along with insurance fees depending on your coverage.
3rd Year Teachers: Extension Beyond Maximum
In the spring of the 3rd year, you can apply to extend for 2 more years. An Extension is when the visa sponsor (Cultural Vistas) updates the official end date of the J-1 program to allow the teacher to continue the program and issues a new DS-2019 Form to the teacher with the new end date. We cannot do this independently for third year teachers and will make a formal request to the U.S. Department of State to ask for an extension on your behalf. This process takes at least 3 months.
Renewal & Extension Summary
Years 1 and 2: Renew
Year 3: Extend
Purpose
Confirm participant for next school year
Extend up to year 5
When to apply
Spring of 1stand 2nd year
Spring of 3rd year
What is the deadline?
April 30th
January, first Monday
What’s needed to apply?
Confirmation of school assignment and intent to renew by both school and teacher, insurance choice for the next year, payment of renewal or extension fee and insurance fee. You also need to complete your cultural report and mid-year evaluation.
*You are not eligible to renew or extend the J1 if you apply for change of visa status or waiver of the two-year home residency requirement.
